“Take Your Essentials Belongings and Pets and GO NOW”

Raging wildfire threatens Idaho resort towns; thousands of homes evacuated

The Beaver Creek Fire, which was ignited by lightning on August 7, has exploded to more than 92,000 acres (373km²) and is burning northwest of Hailey in the Sawtooth National Forest, threatening the towns of Ketchum, Sun Valley and Hailey, officials said.

Resources threatened by the massive blaze include homes, power transmission lines, Highway 75, ski areas and scenic recreational trails and camp grounds.

[NOTE: The town of Ketchum is adjacent to Sun Valley with a combined population of about 4,500. Hailey has a population of about 8,500.]

CURRENT MANDATORY EVACUATION AREAS:

Take your essentials belongings and pets and GO NOW: Galena Summit south to North Fork (SNRA Headquarters) on both sides of Hwy 75 including Easley. (Does not include Galena Lodge) Glassford Heights North to SNRA on both sides of Hwy 75 including Fox Creek, Eagle Creek, Chocolate Gulch and North Fork Trailer Park Hospital bridge south up to and including all East Fork on both sides of Highway including Broadway Run Greenhorn Gulch, Golden Eagle, and Timber Gulch south down to Treasure Lane west of Hwy 75 All Indian Creek, Ohio Gulch, and Heatherlands (includes Valley Club) All Deer Creek from the Hwy 75 west Treasure Lane south to including Aspen Lakes west of Hwy 75 (does not include Northridge) Croy Creek Canyon from Big Wood Bridge west If you are physically unable to evacuate call 911All Services to these evacuated areas will be discontinued.

You will not be allowed to re-enter the area until the danger has passed. You will be notified by Alert and this website when it is safe to return. Check back here for updates. All public lands from Galena Summit south the the SNRA Headquarters are closed on both sides of Hwy 75. Additionally public lands north of Hwy 20 to Galena Summit are closed west of Hwy 75. CURRENT PRE-EVACUATION AREAS Lake Creek south to hospital bridge on both sides of Hwy 75 . This includes Warm Springs and the Cities of Ketchum and Sun Valley Residents of Hailey west of River Street including Queen of the Hills Drive, Sherwood Forest and Della View Subdivision (Does not include Albertson’s) Begin preparations now so that you can leave immediately should conditions deteriorate. Maintain situational awareness. If you are in danger,

DO NOT WAIT for a Evacuation Order. LEAVE IMMEDIATELY Residents in Pre-Evacuation zones with no means of transportation or who are physically unable to evacuate on their own, should ask a neighbor or call (208)578-3367 Please be aware that officers may be unable to go door to door for these pre-evacuation notifications as our resources are tied up with mandatory evacuations in other areas at this time. Services to your area may be discontinued during this Pre-Evacuation time. HIGHWAY 75 is open at this time. Please check back here for the latest evacuation and road closure updates as the situation is changing fast.

Beaver Creek Fire

Deer Creek/Greenhorn Area on Friday, Aug 16, 2013. The fire making a run to the river between Deer Creek and Greenhorn on Friday. Credit: Sawtooth National Forest/ USFS

• Cause: Lightning
• Size: 92,754 acres
• Percent Contained: 9%
• Location northwest of Hailey Idaho
• Date of Origin: Wednesday August 07th, 2013 approx. 12:00 AM
• Total Personnel 1,066

• Growth Potential: Extreme
• Terrain Difficulty: Extreme
• Current Weather
• Wind Conditions: 7-15 g 30 mph SW
• Temperature: 90 degrees
• Humidity: 8%

• Fire Behavior: Fire was active on all Branches through the night. Fire under inversion until 12:30 p.m., then extreme fire behavior with active surface runs and long range crown fire through drought-stressed fuels. All fuels receptive to spotting.

• Significant Events: Evacuation of Croy and westside of Hailey during the early morning hours. Highway 75 from Hailey to Ketchum Hospital. Evacuation notice north from Glassford Heights subdivision north to the SNRA headquarters on both sides of Highway 75.
• Remarks: Block 22 – Yesterday’s two injuries did not accumulate to Block 22. Today’s total of three is correct. Transition of Beaver Creek incidents Branch 1 to Zone 1 Beaver Creek under command of Great Basin Team 4 (Kidd) will occur 8/17 at 0600. One ICS 209 will be produced for the incident by Great Basin Team 1. Block 25: No additional structures destroyed known at time of report. Strong suspicion structures were damaged night of 8/16 morning 8/17. Loss of power poles in Croy area. IDL/Idaho Fire Chiefs structure engine pool exhausted. Two public meetings with local citizens with significant media interest. Resources contributed from other incidents much appreciated. Multiple insurance companies with structure protection clauses providing engines to their clients in coordination with Team. Acres: FS 80,359; BLM 4,398; State 1,030; Private 5,645.

Related Links

• Thousands Flee as Wildfire Threatens Idaho Ski Resort Towns August 17, 2013
• Two Idaho Towns Evacuated Due To Massive Wildfire  August 14, 2013
• Disaster Declared in Elmore County, Idaho  August 13, 2013
• Idaho Wildfire Threatens Entire County August 12, 2013
• Idaho Town Evacuated as Wildfires Rage  August 10, 2013
• Drought Disaster Declared in 37 Counties Across 5 States August 15, 2013
• Utah Wildfire Destroys Dozens of Homes, Structures August 14, 2013

Thousands Flee as Wildfire Threatens Idaho Ski Resort Towns

Extreme fire behavior leads to evacuations, explosive growth on Beaver Creek Fire: Report

The 64,000-acre Beaver Creek Fire Wildfire in Sawtooth National Forest, NW of Hailey Idaho, has lead to explosive growth, prompting additional evacuations and pre-evacuation warnings.

The Beaver Creek Fire was ignited by lightning August 7 and has since forced complete evacuation of multiple subdivision on both sides of Highway 75 between Hailey and Ketchum, according to the authorities.

Extreme fire behavior has been predicted again for the remainder of the day. Here, the fire burns near the head of Imperial Gulch, south of Greenhorn. Credit: Sawtooth National Forest/ U.S. Forest Service

Pre-evacuation notice has been implemented for the highway 75 corridor from Beaver ICP to Oregon Gulch including the towns of Sun Valley and Ketchum. Active structure protection on east of fire, burn out of contingency line on SE to protect town of Croy. Forest Service area closure has been increased to the north including the Baker Creek and Easley Hot Springs area.

Early Damage Assessment

Exact count of structures destroyed or damaged 8/15 unknown, at least one primary residence destroyed with damage to several others; the bridge on FS road 227 connecting Ketchum and Fairfield destroyed; loss of multiple outbuildings certain, 1 RAWS destroyed. Block 22: Injury likely ACL tear, one dehydration, firefighters demobed for treatment at home.

Visit from Governor Otter and USFS Chief on 8/16. Unified Command established with Ketchum and Wood River Fire and Rescue departments. Additional structure protection assets coordinated with IDL on order including overhead from out of state. Daily public meetings with local citizens with significant media interest. Resources contributed from other incidents much appreciated. Insurance company engine representative coordinating with Team. [Inciweb]

Beaver Creek Fire is one of 10 large (greater than 100 acres), uncontained wildfires in the area.

Some 2 dozen large Idaho wildfires have been burning about 500,000 acres across the state since last month.

Hundreds of large wildfires have been scorching millions of acres across 13 states–Idaho, Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, California, Arizona, Montana, Nevada, Washington, New Mexico, Colorado, Wisconsin and Alaska–since May 2013.

Beaver Creek Fire, Twin Falls, ID

Fire Stats

Cause:  Lightning
Date of Origin: Wednesday August 07th, 2013 approx. 12:00 AM
Location: northwest of Hailey Idaho

• Size: 64,236 acres
• Percent Contained: 6%
• Growth Potential: Extreme

• Terrain Difficulty: Extreme
• Total Personnel: 698

Fire Behavior: Extreme fire behavior with active surface runs and crown fire. All fuels receptive to spotting.

Current Weather

• Wind Conditions: 7-15 g 30 mph SW
• Temperature: 91 degrees
• Humidity: 7%

Elk Complex Fire

The Elk Fire, which  resulted from several lightning-sparked fires burning together on the night of August 8 has now consumed more than 125, 000 acres, destroying at least 81 structures.

The evacuation of the Pine/ Featherville corridor, issued by the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, remains in place.

Elmore County Sheriffs Office Completes Structure Assessment

At least 38 residences and 43 outbuildings have been destroyed totaling 81 structures.

Idaho Governor Butch Otter visited the Complex today and met with the military commanders who have been assigned to the fire area.

Elk Complex Fire. Boise National Forest/ U.S. Forest Service

Elk Complex Fire, SW of Pine, ID

• Cause: Lightning
• Date of Origin: Thursday August 08th, 2013 approx. 09:00 PM
• Location:  10 miles southwest of Pine
• Size: 125,033 acres
• Percent Contained 50%Total Personnel 834

• Estimated Containment Date Tuesday October 01st, 2013 approx. 12:00 AM

• Fuels Involved: timber, brush, grass
• Fire Behavior:  Single and group tree torching and short crown runs. Spotting distances of one half mile are possible. Where fuels, topography and weather aligned, rates of spread of up to 80 chains per hour were likely to have occurred but were obscured by smoke.

• Growth Potential: Extreme
• Terrain Difficulty: Extreme

Current Weather

• Wind Conditions 20 mph SW
• Temperature: 90 degrees
• Humidity: 8%

Related Links

• Two Idaho Towns Evacuated Due To Massive Wildfire  August 14, 2013
• Disaster Declared in Elmore County, Idaho  August 13, 2013
• Idaho Wildfire Threatens Entire County August 12, 2013
• Idaho Town Evacuated as Wildfires Rage  August 10, 2013
• Drought Disaster Declared in 37 Counties Across 5 States August 15, 2013
• Utah Wildfire Destroys Dozens of Homes, Structures August 14, 2013

Global Disasters/ Significant Events – 24 July 2013

Fire breaks out on evacuated Gulf gas well

Fire has broken out on a blown-out Gulf of Mexico gas well, a federal official has just confirmed.

Natural gas spewing from the Hercules 265 drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico about 55 miles off the Louisiana off the coast of Louisiana, Tuesday, July 23, 2013.  Photo released by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. 

The drilling rig operated by Walter Oil & Gas was evacuated early Tuesday after the blowout occurred; the fire broke out late Tuesday.

“All 44 personnel on board have been safely evacuated and are being transported to a secure location. No injuries have been reported. No oil has been released.” Walter Oil & Gas said in a statement.

Earlier The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) posted the following statement on their website:

BSEE Responds to Well Control Event at South Timbalier Block 220, 55 miles offshore Louisiana

July 23, 2013– The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is responding to a report of a loss of well control 55 miles offshore Louisiana in 154 feet of water. Walter Oil & Gas this morning reported the loss of control of Well A-3 on an unmanned platform at South Timbalier Block 220 while doing completion work on the sidetrack well to prepare the well for production. The well is flowing gas and no oil is being released. The operator reports that 44 personnel have been evacuated safely from the Hercules 265 jack-up rig.

BSEE inspectors conducting an overflight reported a light sheen one-half mile by 50 feet in area which is dissipating almost immediately. BSEE inspectors will remain at a near-by platform to keep abreast of the situation. BSEE is closely monitoring Walter Oil & Gas’ mobilization of its response efforts to stop the flow of gas and secure the well.

BSEE is closely coordinating with the Coast Guard and other federal agencies on response efforts.

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Other Major Disasters/ Significant Events

Lake County, Ohio, Declared Disaster Area after Extensive Flooding

Officials have declared the Lake County a disaster area, after flooding hit many cities in the County on Saturday affecting thousands of residents, and damaging at least 3,000 homes.

The heaviest flood damage occurred in the western half of Lake County from Wickliffe to Mentor, officials stated.

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Warm Springs wildfire spreads, more Oregon homes evacuated

The Sunnyside Turnoff fire started at about 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 20 along Highway 3 near Warm Springs, Oregon. Unseasonably hot weather, coupled with low humidities and strong winds caused the fire to escape initial and extended attack efforts. Inciweb reported.

“Firefighters evacuated about 40 homes in the Warm Springs area Sunday afternoon as a raging wildfire spread across thousands of acres of open country on the Indian reservation,” said a report.

Fire crews had earlier evacuated 200 homes, according to reports.

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Wildfire forces Idaho’s Redfish Lake campers and gusts to evacuate

The 210 Road Fire, which ignited Monday, has consumed about a square mile of pine and brush in the Sawtooth National Forest.

Officials have evacuated the campgrounds on the lake’s southern edge and guests staying at the Redfish Lake Lodge located at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains, said a report.

There are currently 11 major wildfires burning tens of thousands of acres across southern and eastern Idaho, fueled by drought, high temperatures and low humidity. The blazes include Papoose Fire, Ridge Fire, Brown Butte, Thunder City, Lodgepole, Rough Creek, Gold Pan, Pine Creek Fire, Bradley and Summit Fire.

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The Disaster President Signs Missouri Disaster Declaration

The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Missouri in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding during the period of May 29 to June 10, 2013.

The areas most severely affected were the counties of Barton, Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Chariton, Clark, Howard, Iron, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Maries, Marion, Miller, Montgomery, Osage, Perry, Pike, Putnam, Ralls, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard, Sullivan, Texas, and Webster.

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NW China Earthquake Update

Death has climbed to at least 95 after a 6.6-magnitude quake  followed by a significant aftershock struck NW China on Monday.

“As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the number of people that have been treated by medical institutions was 1,243, including 185 patients reported to be in a serious or critical status,” said a report.

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UPDATED: Wednesday, 24 July 2013, 16:09

Severe Storms and Hail Damage up to 90% of France’s Burgundy Vine

Tuesday’s storms have damaged or destroyed up to 90 percent of the vines, threatening output for both the 2013 and 2014 vintages, said a report quoting producers.

“It is awful to see these vines ripped by hail and several years of wine growers’ work destroyed by the weather in one afternoon,” said the head of France’s independent wine makers.

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